Blast From the Past!

Last week was a wonderful blur, starting with the Toronto launch of Summer Days, Starry Nights. I was so touched to see so many friends and readers come out on the rainiest day of the year to celebrate with me. It was exactly what I wanted and you’ve made me all a very happy lady. Dani at Bookish Notions did a fabulous recap here.

I also went home to Woodstock to do a signing at Merrifield Bookshop. It was wonderful to see so many friends, former teachers, young fans, aspiring writers, and perhaps most touching, the former children’s librarian of the Woodstock Public Library, Judy Down.

Judy is a warm and wonderful person who resided over the children’s department, which during my time lived in a completely separate building from the rest of the library. You had to walk across a catwalk to get to the adult library, which always seemed so hushed and serious. Judy and her staff created an inviting hub of books and crafts, perfect for children. There have been many wonderful children’s librarians in Woodstock since Judy retired 17 years ago, but she was my introduction to the library and all the wonderful things that it offered. She even kept my card behind the desk so I wouldn’t lose it! 

For those who were unable to make it out to either event. there are signed copies at Mabel’s Fables in Toronto, Merrifield Bookshop in Woodstock, and in both Chapters Burlington and Indigo Burlington. This Saturday I’ll be in Erin Mills! Come say hi at 1pm!

Stay tuned for more event info and some pretty awesome reviews!

Hello Summer, you’re lookin’ fine!

Summer Days, Starry Nights: Signings & Event Schedule

Tonight kicks off 6 weeks of signings, workshops and events. Am I coming to a town near you?

TORONTO BOOK LAUNCH- May 28th, 7pm

• 3030: 3030 Dundas West and High Park, Toronto

WOODSTOCK BOOK SIGNING- June 1st, 1pm

• Merrifield Bookshop: 417 Dundas Street, Woodstock, On

CHAPTERS ERIN MILLS- June 8th, 1pm

CANWRITE CONFERENCE- June 13-14

• June 13, 3:30-4:45: “Mapping Your Audience”
• June 14, 2:15-4:45:  ”Connecting with Your Audience: Writing for Middle Grade Readers”
• Lakehead University Orillia campus

CREEMORE- June 15

• Farmer’s Market: 10-11am. Station on the Green, Creemore
• Curiosity House Signing: 11-12pm. 178 Mill Street, Creemore

CHAPTERS BRAMPTON- June 23, 1pm

See you there! 

The Recipe for a Perfect Summer Novel

We are now three weeks away from the launch of my new book, Summer Days, Starry Nights- an ode to summer, the 1960s, and friendship- three of my favourite things! I thought I’d answer some basic questions here to get people excited.

Q: Why the 1960s?

Carole King in 1962

A: I love the 1960s, particularly the music. For the first time, women were singing songs that other women could relate to. I read Girls Like Us, an amazing in-depth triple biography of Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon and Girl Groups, Girl Culture, a great book about popular music in the 1960s, which helped flesh out what was going on with women, music, and social change during the time period.

Music and identity play big roles in Summer Days, Starry Nights. Both Gwen, mysterious wayward ballerina, and Reenie, dependable country girl and a classic middle child, are trying to figure out who they are and what their place in the world is. Gwen introduces Reenie to girl bands like The Shirelles, The Crystals, and The Chantels. It seemed natural to set a coming of age story at a time where the whole world was coming of age.

Q: Is the resort Sandy Shores based on a real place?

A: When I was young my family spent a number of summers at a resort near Orillia, Ontario called Lake Dalrymple Resort. I have fond memories of the resort, and the layout of Sandy Shores is based on the layout of this resort, more or less. Of course I changed things to suit the plot, which is one of my favourite elements of fiction writing.

Q: What inspired the book?

A: The name Reenie Starr came to me first. I started to think about who this Reenie Starr was, how she did or did not live up to her name. I gave her two siblings, Scarlett and Bo, and then I wondered who would name their children after movie stars and lo and behold their mother- a woman who prefers to be called Mimi, not Mama- was born.

Margaret Langrick in My American Cousin

I also wanted to write a summer book and for me summer is always connected to the 1960s, probably because of movies like Dirty Dancing, My American Cousin, The Man in the Moon, and A Walk on the Moon. I remembered how much I loved the resort on Lake Dalrymple and how as a kid I thought it would be absolute heaven to live there all year. So through the magic of fiction I got to experience that by having my protagonist live on a summer resort.

Anna Paquin in A Walk on the Moon

I had a lot of fun (and spent a LOT of time) creating and seeking out inspirational playlists, like this one from songza. You can check out some of my inspirational images, girl groups, etc on the Summer Days, Starry Nights pinterest board here.

Toronto friends I hope you’ll join me at 3030 on May 28th for the launch. I will also be making appearances in Woodstock, London, Brampton, Erin Mills, Creemore and Orillia in the next two months- stay tuned for dates.  Remember you can pre-0rder on Amazon, Indigo, or at your local bookstore. 

Summer Days, Starry Nights Toronto Launch: Party Like it’s 1962!

It’s party time! If you’re in the Toronto area on Tuesday, May 28th come celebrate the launch of SUMMER DAYS, STARRY NIGHTS with me at one of my favourite Junction hotspots, 3030.

Starting at 7pm, this is an all ages event and will feature a reading by yours truly and a performance by the amazing Miranda Mulholland, of Great Lake Swimmers and Belle Starr fame. Miranda is also an accomplished solo artist and I could not be more thrilled that she is sharing this night with me. Also, look at her wicked hair:

When Miranda is not singing, expect a great mix of late 1950s and early 1960s vinyl, perfect for dancing! This is not a costume party, but if you come dressed in 60′s attire you will earn my undying respect and devotion. Books will be sold by Toronto institution Mabel’s Fables and I will be happy to sign one for you, your niece, your grandmother, or anyone else you’d like to give a first edition signed copy to!

Located at High Park and Dundas West, 3030 is easily accessible by TTC (walk north from High Park station or take the 40 bus from Dundas West Station) and there is a Green P parking lot nearby (south of Dundas West, between Pacific and Medland) for those who will be driving.

Can’t wait to see you! Bring your dancing shoes and we will party like it’s 1962!

For those of you outside the GTA area I will also be doing events in Woodstock, Brampton, Erin Mills, Creemore, Orillia and London. Schedule coming soon!

Introducing the Cairn Adult Writers’ Retreat

One of the things I hear most often from fellow writers is, ‘If only I could get away and just write.’ As a writer with a full-time job and limited time, I completely understand this sentiment. Sometimes you need a few days to jumpstart a new manuscript or take the time to overhaul an old one. I would love to go to a fancy-schmancy writer’s retreat, but finances and scheduling make it difficult for me.

So I decided to do something about it.

Thus the Cairn Adult Writers’ Retreat was born! Our first retreat will be held June 9-12th. Come join us for two and a half days of writing time. If peer work-shopping is your bag, there will be a few time slots each day devoted to critiquing. Otherwise the time is yours to write, revise, and brainstorm among fellow writers. Cairn is located minutes away from Baysville, Ontario on a private lake. It’s secluded, quiet, and run by friendly staff who will be there to feed you three times a day and assist you with canoes, rock climbing, and other activities in your non-writing hours.

This retreat is fairly unstructured and is best suited to those writers who are self-directed. There will be plenty of opportunities to socialize at meals, nightly campfires, on the private beach, or at the local pub. Cairn is a fairly rustic camp, so come prepared to sleep in cabins, share a bathroom, and leave the amenities of urban life behind.

If all things go well, this could expand into a yearly program. I for one am hoping we can expand into the fall, as there is nothing more beautiful than Muskoka trees in all their autumnal beauty.

Interested writers of any genre should visit the website and register now! You do not need to be published/produced to attend- writers of all levels are welcome.

WINNERS of Clarissa & Benji Video Contest!

After months of not-so-patiently waiting, I am thrilled to announce the winners of the video contest and share their wonderful creation, inspired by my book Words That Start With B, here! From River Oaks PS in Oakville: Jessica, Albert, Ashley, Devon and Elijah:

Congratulations to everyone for such clever, imaginative, and faithful imaginings of Words That Start With B. Film editing is a complex and collaborative business and I am impressed with the amazing quality of your results! I can’t wait to meet you!

More contest news!

Toronto fans, you could win a Benji and Clarissa inspired sleep-over party at Mabel’s Fables! Think trivia, movies, popcorn, friendship bracelets, and yours truly! Yes, I will be rolling out my sleeping bag and joining the fun. Visit the store and pick up a copy of Days That End in Y for more information!

Calling All Budding Filmmakers, Grade 4 and up!

You still have time to enter my book trailer contest! Create a fun, short video celebrating the Clarissa and Benji  books and you could WIN!

All video submissions must be received by January 15th, 2013.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

1. The winning video will be revealed here on the blog as the OFFICIAL TRAILER. It will also be posted on the Scholastic Canada website.

2. I will visit the winner’s school to lead some writing workshops and personally thank the winner/winner’s class.

3. The winner will receive a prize pack from Scholastic Canada valued at $100.00.

4. The winner’s classroom and library will receive a signed set of my books (WORDS THAT START WITH B, LOVE IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD, and DAYS THAT END IN Y).

THREE RUNNERS UP:

1. These winning videos will also be posted on the blog.

2. Runners up will receive a prize pack from Scholastic Canada valued at $25.00

Ready to enter? Email vikki.vansickle@gmail.com for a registration form.

FOR TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS

-Group and individual entries are eligible

-Great project for students in grades 4-8 studying media, digital literacy and integrated arts programs

-Excellent opportunity for lit groups, book clubs or reading circles

-Possibility of winning an author visit for your school AND books for the classroom and library!

GETTING STARTED

First of all, get your hands on a copy of WORDS THAT START WITH B and LOVE IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD!

Click here to read an excerpt from WORDS THAT START WITH B

Click here to read an excerpt from LOVE IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD

-Check out some of the book trailers on the Scholastic youtube channel to get some ideas

-Think about your favourite movie trailers. What do you like about them? How can you apply these elements to a book trailer?

-Consider dramatizing your favourite scene from one of the books.

-Imagine a new or deleted scene from one of the books.

-Create a slideshow of images that remind you of the series, accompanied by a voice over of one of the characters.

These are just a few ideas to get you started. Remember the sky’s the limit! I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

What Makes a Great Book Trailer?

I’m holding a book trailer contest for kids in grades 4+. The winning trailer will be the OFFICIAL trailer for Days That End in Y (due out in February) and the winning filmmaker will get all sorts of fun stuff like signed books, a prize package from Scholastic Canada, and his/her school will win an author visit from me!

For inspiration I thought I would give some examples of really cool trailers.

WHO COULD THAT BE AT THIS HOUR?

It helps that this book has awesome graphics from Seth, which are perfect source material for an animated trailer. This is also a great example of an effective and simple voice-over.

INSURGENT

This is a simple concept, extremely well done. No actors, no voice over, just images and music in a perfect combination. I know it got my heart racing!

THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN

This one always makes me tear up a little. I blame the haunting cello in the background. Again, this is a very simple concept, featuring still artwork and quotations.

THE SELECTION

Here is an example of a live action trailer, featuring actors. What I love about this trailer is that it gives a sense of the book while not actually being a scene, requiring actors to memorize lines, perform stunts, or do anything too crazy. Simple and effective!

 For more tips, hints, and trailers visit:

The Director’s Cut -Check out some book trailers made by students!

Scholastic Videos in the Stacks- Check out some book trailers from Scholastic US!

Book Trailers for Readers - Check out some book trailers made by a librarian in the US!

Edinburgh World Writers’ Conference at IFOA

Remember when I said I would be blogging more? Well this week I’ll be stepping out of the realm of children’s literature to blog for the Edinburgh World Writer’s Conference, part of the International Festival of Authors held in Toronto this week. Learn more about this conference here.

The topics covered by panels of eclectic writers and experts (Miriam Toews, Jo Nesbo, Irvine Welsh, A.L. Kennedy, Chan Koonchung and many more) are as follows:

Wednesday, October 24, 8pm

ROUND TABLE Basic Instinct: Style vs. Content

Thursday, October 25, 8pm

Two keynote addresses featuring China Miéville and Miriam Toews.

Saturday, October 27, 12pm
ROUND TABLE Zombies, Witches, Killers and Cowboys: Visions of the Future Novel

Saturday, October 27, 5pm
ROUND TABLE A National Literature?

Sunday, October 28, 3pm
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH READING/INTERVIEW
Censorship Today

Check out a full listing of events here.

I for one am excited about discussing these juicy, relevant topics.  Please join the conversation on twitter, using the hashtag #wordwritersconf.

See you at the festival!

October Kid Lit Events Round-up

October is my favourite month. It’s pumpkin pie, salted-caramel hot chocolate, and boots season. The air smells like woodsmoke and apples and everywhere you look the leaves are shirking their uniform greenness and letting their colours show. Plus their are two fantastic holidays, Thanksgiving and Halloween! Feasts and costumes! Who doesn’t love October?!

So it figures October would have some pretty rocking events to look forward to:

1. My Book Trailer Contest!

If you’re a follower of this blog you will know that I am holding a book trailer contest to celebrate the release of DAYS THAT END IN Y (February 2013). The contest is open to students in grades 4+ , so if you’re a teacher, librarian or parent who knows some kids who are good with a camera, check out the rules here or email me for more info!

      

Contest closes on January 15th, which gives you plenty of time to get those cameras rolling!

2. Girls Without Hats Benefit Concert + Jon Klassen Book Launch

This event is going to literally rock. It is a benefit concert for one of my fave organizations Girls Rock Camp Toronto, featuring local female musicians and Girls Rock Camp alum; Jon Klassen, one of my fave illustrators* who just so happens to be launching his new book THIS IS NOT MY HAT, and me, as a seriously starstruck host.

In addition to all of those awesome guests, there will be a silent auction with wicked prizes! AND it’s being held at The Gladstone! Throw in cupcakes and this is seriously all of my favourite things in one snazzy event. Whatever am I going to wear?

Such a cool event can only be organized by Small Print Toronto. Check out the website for more info and come join us on Wednesday, October 24th, 7pm, Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St West)  

1.  Another Story Workshop!

Another Story is a wonderfully eclectic and curated bookshop in Toronto that specializes in socially conscious literature. Now that I am a Junctionite, Another Story is practically in my neighbourhood.

I was thrilled to be invited to host a Saturday morning kid’s book club. I will be talking about the writing process and why it’s important to be honest, even when it makes you (or other people) uncomfortable. If you are under 14 and want to drop by (or if you know any young budding writers) please come on down Saturday, October 27th, 9-10am, Another Story Bookshop, 315 Roncesvalles Avenue.

*Remember when my she-roommate made me a custom mug with Jon Klassen’s swing dancing cats on them? Click here to refresh your memory